The Forbidden Taste of Christmas Cake
The Strange Tale of a Christmas Cake
When you think of Christmas in Japan, two things often come to mind: “KFC" and strawberry shortcake. The tradition of eating KFC during the holiday season might leave some visitors scratching their heads, wondering, “Why chicken for Christmas?" But for most Japanese, the sight of signs declaring “Christmas is Chicken!" has become a seasonal norm.
Strawberry shortcake, on the other hand, is a symbol of Christmas joy in Japan. Its origins date back to the post-war era, representing “sweetness and happiness" in a uniquely Japanese way. Yet, few are aware of the hidden “taboos" tied to this beloved dessert. The story of Jonathan, a foreign exchange student, uncovers the chilling secret behind one Christmas cake.
The Fear Lurking in the Last Slice
Jonathan experienced his first Japanese Christmas on the night of December 24th. Staying with a warm and welcoming host family, he was excited to immerse himself in new traditions. That evening, the entire family gathered to make a special Christmas cake from scratch.
“This cake has a special meaning,” his host mother explained. “The last slice must always be saved for the next day. That’s the rule.”
Curious, Jonathan asked why, but his host family only smiled and didn’t elaborate. Assuming it was just a quaint cultural custom, he didn’t give it much thought.
Later that night, when everyone was fast asleep, Jonathan found himself standing in front of the fridge. His stomach grumbled, and his mind kept wandering back to that last slice of cake. Unable to resist, he gave in and ate it. The sweetness was delightful, but a strange chill ran down his spine.
The next morning, at breakfast, his host family noticed immediately. “The last slice of cake is gone!”
Their cheerful demeanor shifted instantly. The entire family looked visibly shaken. Jonathan, feeling guilty and uneasy, couldn’t bring himself to admit that he was the one who ate it.
That afternoon, strange things began to happen. A shadowy figure appeared outside the window. Footsteps echoed in empty rooms. And the most unnerving part? When Jonathan opened the fridge later that evening, the “last slice” had somehow returned, looking exactly as it did before he ate it.
That night, unable to shake off his unease, Jonathan tried to sleep but found himself waking up in the middle of the night. As he lay there, trying to drift off again, faint footsteps echoed from the kitchen. Unable to ignore them, he ventured out to investigate. The fridge stood ominously in the dim light. He opened it cautiously, and there it was—the same slice of cake, now with eerie patterns etched into its surface.
A cold hand suddenly gripped his shoulder. A whisper followed: “You ate the last slice…”
When Jonathan turned, he realized the voice belonged to the ghost of his host family’s late grandmother.
The Lesson Behind the Sweetness
The next day, Jonathan confessed everything to his host family. They were shocked but didn’t blame him. However, the experience left an indelible mark on Jonathan. He vowed never to eat “the last slice” again, no matter how hungry he might be.
Japan’s culture is full of “unspoken rules” that even locals might not fully understand. What happens if you break them? The next time you’re about to cut into a cake, you might want to think twice.
This story is a work of fiction. Please enjoy it as entertainment and use it as an opportunity to learn about the fascinating traditions of Japanese culture.
What do you eat for Christmas in your region? Feel free to share in the comments below!
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